Don't Laugh at Me, Don't Call Me Names (Research Reflections: Children with Asperger Syndrome and Bullying) (Clinical Report)

EDITOR'S NOTE: REFERENCES CITED OR CONSULTED ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FROM JHOLLINGSWORTH@EPARENT.COM. Ken is an 8th grader who has Asperger syndrome. He is fully integrated and attends a regular middle school in an affluent, urban community. The school is large (about 2,500 students) and ethnically diverse. Ken's strengths are in computers, and he is known to be an "electronic whiz," often carrying the latest version of a cell phone or iPod. Recently, Ken reported that he had his third iPod stolen out of his backpack. Upon questioning, we learned that all three thefts occurred during Physical Education, when his backpack was lying on the grass along with all the others. When Ken discovered that the phone or iPod was missing, he heard whoops of laughter and jeering from the same gang of boys. Ken repeatedly told his parents that he didn't know how his gadgets disappeared.